Mitsubishi Unveils Preliminary Specs Of Lancer Evolution X Final

With its official debut at the 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon only a month away, Mitsubishi has released preliminary specs regarding the Lancer Evolution X Final Concept. This sneak preview shows what could be the last special edition of the iconic sport sedan before it is retired from production in 2015, capping an impressive and unforgettable chapter in the Japanese firm’s history.

These clues come from an official announcement the company released late last week regarding the official roster of vehicles that it plans to bring to the 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon. In many circles the Tokyo Salon is an oriental rival to the annual SEMA show held in Las Vegas, thanks to its equally abundant displays of customized automobiles. Among the otherwise mediocre lineup is the star of Mitsubishi's coningent: the Lancer Evolution X Final Concept which is largely based on the GSR variant of the model which boasts a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment. The basic styling of the concept retains many of the same, if not dated, themes that have become synonymous with the Evolution X. However, Mitsubishi engineers have added a custom HKS turbocharger, modifed intake and exhaust system, a revamped cooling system, and a tweaked ECU which work together to allow the engine to make 480 horsepower. This is a 184-horsepower gain over the stock car's 296 ponies, but it is unclear if the full package of upgrades and the power it delivers will carryover to the production version of this swan song edition of the Lancer (which is limited to 2,000 units.)

In addition to the aforementioned concept (which in my opinion is the most important debut of the bunch) the company will also show off the Outlander PHEV Sport Style Edition Concept B as well as a race-spec version of the Outlander that competed in the Asia Cross Country Rally. Meanwhile, van fans will love the final vehicle on display: a specially customized Delcia four-wheel drive van which was specially customized with input from Keen hiking boots. I hope that the full swath of upgrades does make the transition to production since it would not only be a suitable way to send the car off with a proper bang, it would also allow it to trump its chief rival, the Subaru WRX STI—and many of its indirect rivals—in horsepower one final time. I am also curious if the concept has received any upgrades to its suspension and braking hardware to cope with the added strain of keeping nearly 500 horsepower on course during spirited driving down twisty roads or on the local race track.

Alas, while the loss of the Evolution in its current form will be a tough one to swallow for many enthusiasts (myself included), the rumors of a possibe revival that would embrace the company's new initiative towards electrification sounds very compelling and I look forward to seeing whether such a model appears, and, if so, what it would mean for the performance car segment as a whole.